Direction signal



Oct. 6, 1942. w. E. MOESSNER ION SIGNAL DIRECT Filed July 17, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l I I //1 I I N V EN TOR. zfldlfdaewsszw Patented Dot. 6, 1942 UNETED STTES ?TENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to automotive vehicles, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved direction signal.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a face view of the signal;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; I

Figure 3 is a face view of a rotary disc provided vrith a direction pointing needle;

Figure 4 is a view of the needle;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the face structure removed;

Figures 6 and 7 respectively illustrate the right and left indicating positions of the needle; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit.

In the embodiment selected for illustration, I make use of a housing l5 which may be suitably mounted on therear of the vehicle. The circumferential wall I2 is bent to provide a ledge I4 comprising a support for a glass plate I5. The plate is held firmly against the ledge by a split ring key l8 pressed into a groove 21 formed in the housing I0.

A boss 22 is formedon the inner side of the rear wall 24, and the boss is bored for the reception of a shaft 25 made secure by a set screw 28 threaded in the boss. Upon the shaft 26 is rotatably mounted an opaque disc 30 through the medium of a hub 32 restrained from axial movement on the shaft by reason of a shaft flange 34 and a collar 36 secured to the shaft.

A transparent direction indicating needle 33 is carried by the disc 30, the disc being provided with a perforation 45, see Figure 3, conforming to the outline of the needle 38. The margin of the disc 30 about the perforation to is grooved at 42 to receive the flange 44 extending about the perimeter of the needle 38 so as to bring the rear side of the needle flush with the back face of the disc 35, the needle being made secure by screwheads 35. The screws of the heads :5 are threaded into the disc 55 and the screwheads are cut away at 43 to provide clearance for the needle when it is slipped into position in the groove 42, so that a slight turn of the screwheads 46 will bring the heads into overlapping engagement with the needle for holding it in the groove.

On the rear wall 26 of the housing is mounted a red left-turn lamp 5!), a forward green lamp 52 and a right-turn red lamp 5Q. Walls or partitions 56, 58, 60, 62, 6 3 and 65 are secured to the back wall 24 and the circumferential wall 12 of the housing and in radial relationship with the shaft 26. The walls 55 and as provide a chamber 55 53 for the lamp 5i]. Walls and 62 provide a chamber 10 for the lamp 52, while the walls 64 and 65 provide a chamber F2 for the lamp 54. Thus the lamps 5Q, 52 and 54 are isolated one from the other, but the chambers 5B, 10 and 12 are open adjacent the opaque disc 35.

To the rear wall 24 is secured an electromagnetic device M comprising windings 16 and 18 for controlling the movement of a core 85. One end of the core is pivotally connected at 82 with one end of a link 84, the opposite end of this link being pivotally connected at 86 with the disc 35. Energization of the winding it attracts the core 55 to the left when viewing Figure 5 for imparting a clockwise rotation to the disc 30. Similarly, energization of the windin "it attracts the core 88 to the right for imparting counter-clockwise rotation to the disc 30.

Normally the disc 35 is positioned according to Figures 1 and 3, at which time the needle 38 points upwardly and is aligned with the chamber 16 so that the needle will be subjected to green illumination for indicating forward motion of the vehicle. A weight 88 is secured to the disc 39 diametrically opposite the needle 40, and rubber bumpers 95 are secured to .the weight 88. One bumper 95 engages the wall or partition 55 when the disc 30 is rotated in a clockwise direction to step further rotation thereof when the needle 38 is in proper light-receiving relationship with the lamp 55 to denote an intended right turn. Upon rotation of the disc 35 in a counter-clockwise direction, the other bumper 90 engages the wall or partition 55 for preventing further rotation of the disc so as to position the needle 38 in proper illuminated relationship with the lamp 50 to denote an intended left turn. In distinction to the green illumination of the needle 38 in its normal forward position, the needle is subjected to red illumination in both the rightand left-turn positions thereof.

Figure 8 illustrates the electric circuit controlling the electromagnetic device and the signal lamps. The lamps 50, 52 and 54 are connected in parallel with a wire 92 grounded at 94 and connected with a battery 96. A switch 98 is interposed in the wire 92. While the lamps 50, 52 and 54 are continuously illuminated so long as the switch 98 is closed, the illuminated lamps are masked from view by reason of the opaque disc 3!] and the needle 38 is illuminated continuously in its normal position of Figure 1 and selectively with respect to the lamps 50 and 54.

A wire I00 connects with the winding 76 and with a contact I02 of a switch I 04 located within reach of the operator of the vehicle. The switch includes an element I06 electrically connected with the battery 96 and a second contact I08 connected with a wire H electrically connected with the winding 18. Both windings 16 and 18 are grounded at H2. Thus the circuit may be closed through the winding 16 by moving the element I06 into engagement with the contact I02, or the winding 18 may be energized through movement of the element I06 into engagement with the contact I08.

In cases where it may be desired to employ right and left signals mounted forwardly on the vehicle and on each side thereof, electromagnetic devices H4 and I I6 may be respectively connected with the wires I00 and H0. Under such conditions, the electromagnetic devices H4 and H6 may each operate a signal device such as that disclosed in Figures 1 through 5, with the exception that only one red light need be employed in each housing.

My invention embodies a relatively simple construction wherein a needle points the direction of the intended turn and is so illuminated as to embody the necessary visual attraction characteristics. While a movable needle is employed, the device is devoid of complicated mechanical structure. The electromagnetic device 14 is such as to be easily incorporated in a relatively small housing, and the disc 30 is effectively operated for signaling purposes. The weight 88 balances the disc in its normal position, which weight is aided by reason of frictional resistance opposing rotation of the disc so that the latter will remain unvaryingly in its normal position unless shifted by the electromagnetic device.

In addition, the signal is devoid of mechanically swinging arms for indicating the direction of intended turns. The needle or pointer 38, while being movable with the disc 30, is enclosed in a housing which is not at all objectionable from the standpoint of appearance and definitely indicates an intended turn as well as normal forward movement of the vehicle. The control switch is conveniently located with respect to the driver of the vehicle and eliminates the necessity of opening windows under objectionable weather conditions or otherwise employing arm signals.

Without further elaboration, the .foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim;

1. A direction signal, comprising a circular housing having an open face, a horizontal partition dividing the housing into an upper and lower compartment, radially extending partitions dividing the upper compartment into several compartments, a lamp in each of said compartments, a shaft mounted at the center of the horizontal partition, an opaque disk mounted for rotation about the axis of said shaft and having a transparent direction pointing needle to be brought into selective positions in relationship with the several compartments, a weight on said disk for normally holding the same with the needle in a vertical position, and electric magnets for moving the opaque disk to the right or left to indicate a right or left hand turn.

2. A direction signal, comprising a circular housing having an open face, a horizontal partition extending across said housing and dividing it into an upper and lower compartment, radially extending partitions dividing the upper compartment into seevral compartments, a lamp in each of said compartments, a shaft mounted at the center of the horizontal partition, an opaque disk mounted for rotation about the axis of said shaft and having a transparent direction pointing needle to be brought into selective position in relationship with the compartments on each side of the center compartment, a weight on said disk for holding the same with the needle in a vertical position, two electric magnets having their armatures directly connected with the disk, whereby the same may be moved in opposite directions to indicate a right or left hand turn.

WALLACE E. MOESSNER. 

